Category: LongEZ Repair

Apr 20 2010

California Bound

Today is the last day of work before a business trip to Los Angles tomorrow.  It is a fairly short one and I’ll be returning Friday night….

It was a very busy day today.    First task of the day was shortening the oil dip stick tube.  After cutting the tube to the correct length (and a little reduction of the diameter on the lathe, a PVC connector was used to glue the pieces together.   A little black paint and it looks good and worked out very well.   I made a test sample (using the old tube) and could not get it to fail.   

Glued and painted.

 I have had to stop work on the engine compartment since I do not have a starter, alternator, oil pan, fuel servo or exhaust systems.    All these are in CA being fine tuned and modified.    That’s ok as it gives me time to focus in on other areas of the plane which needs attention.

I found the oil door to be hitting the inlet duct due to the off set hinge the orginal builder used.  After a bit of frustration trying to make it work, I decided to just remove it and go back to a standard hinge style.

It was quick to do and worked out great since the leading edge of the door was somewhat flat which allowed for a longer hinge. 

I also installed the bracket for the AHRS (electrionic gyro for the EFIS) and the Trio Autopilot pitch servo.   I had to install the canard to take measurements and really liked the look of it on the plane.  Installing the servo was interesting because I used my own instruction written years ago when I was a beta tester for Trio.  I tried a couple of different configurations to get the servo installed and when finally successful, I wrote up the methodology for other builders.  Naturally, I was a bit surprised at how well it worked and the clarity of the instruction.    Sometime I surprise myself.  

   When I get back I am going to finish off the canard and get it into primer.  I have completed almost all the glass work and installation of hardware so I am getting close to the painting stage.

***

Oct 21 2009

Air vent tube

Today was a somewhat short day.  I hollowed out the area needed for the rotary latch from eznoselift.com

The vent tube was also installed from the NACA duct.  Tomorrow, I’ll do the final install of the port/stbd side panels and the eyeball vent

May 03 2007

Camlock Testing

I ordered the copper paint today for making the ground plane for the transponder and ADS-B antennas.  I also did some research and testing of camlocks sizes to order for the cowl. 

 This is a series of tests.   The parameters are the camlock is screwed flush shown.  Then I put different thicknesses to see which size stud is necessary for Pats cowls and doors.

  wpid-IMG_2814-2007-05-3-18-13.jpg

Click on the thumbnails to view

The pictures shows the position of the positioning screw at various thicknesses of flanges.  These pictures is shown using  a

Dash 2 stud.

wpid-IMG_2818-2007-05-3-18-13.jpg wpid-IMG_2819-2007-05-3-18-13.jpg wpid-IMG_2820-2007-05-3-18-13.jpg

Dash 3 Stud

wpid-IMG_2816-2007-05-3-18-13.jpg wpid-IMG_2811-2007-05-3-18-13.jpg wpid-IMG_2813-2007-05-3-18-13.jpg

Dash 4 Stud

wpid-IMG_2822-2007-05-3-18-13.jpg

The following is what is needed for putting on the cowl with camlocks.  SK245-4 floating adjustable receptacles,  Studs (dash 3 or 4), Grommets 4002-NS (were you want to remove the studs such as at the front the cowl) and SK-018S Grommets (with retaining rings) for studs you wish to leave in the cowl  (used for about .100″ thick cowl).    I have decide to use dash 3 studs for almost all location except for 4 where the cowl is extra thick. 

Iwpid-IMG_2824-2007-05-3-18-13.jpg

The fuel valve is now installed.

wpid-IMG_2830-2007-05-3-18-13.jpg

Fuel pump and filter is installed.  I wanted to make it easy to clean the filter, so all Pat has to do is loosen the fittings and remove two bolts on the engine firewall side and it will drop out. 

wpid-IMG_2831-2007-05-3-18-13.jpg

I also started routing the tubing for the oil heat.  The heavy walled 1/2″ tubing is a bitch to bend..  I want to use as much tubing as possible to minimize hoses and keep everything clean looking and simple.  I should have the remaining fuel and oil lines routed tomorrow. On Tuesday, I’ll get all the hoses made (fuel and oil).